By Sunday Apah
The Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, has called for Polytechnics in Nigeria to award Bachelor of Technology degrees to replace the current Higher National Diploma (HND).
Professor Ufuophu-Biri, who made the call recently during a colloquium organized by Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, noted that HND holders spend two years at the National Diploma level, do one year of industrial attachment, and then complete the HND in two years, totaling five years, compared to four years of studying a similar course at the university level.
He argued that the ordinary-level entry requirements for ND, HND, and first degrees are the same, and that the degree curricula and those of the Polytechnics are similar.
He added that while the polytechnics retain their names as polytechnics, the National Diploma should be the basic requirement for admission into polytechnic degree programs.
He pointed out that polytechnic degree awards will promote polytechnic and technology education in Nigeria, as more people will be motivated to study in polytechnics, which are centers for technology and innovation initiatives and development.
The Mass Communication and Journalism professor noted that the dichotomization of HND and first degrees, which overtly and covertly tends to inferiorize the HND, is a silent killer of polytechnic education in Nigeria and, by extension, a hindrance to technological growth and development.
He noted that many polytechnics outside Nigeria award degrees, including doctoral degrees. While commending the high standard of polytechnic education in the country, which enables graduates of Nigerian polytechnics to be admitted to study for higher degrees abroad, he stated that “the nomenclature of HND is sometimes subject to interpretation or verification outside Nigeria, unlike the term ‘degree,’ which has universal recognition and acceptability.”
According to the Don, changing the nomenclature to B.Tech will reinforce the emphasis on technology and innovation education in Nigeria, paving the way for the country to advance in technology education, similar to China and India.
Ufuophu-Biri noted that changing the nomenclature from HND to B.Tech does not impose any financial burden on the polytechnics; rather, it will motivate students to study harder and increase staff motivation and productivity.
Speaking earlier at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, during the conference of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Professor Ufuophu-Biri also advocated for changing the terminal rank of polytechnic lecturers from Chief Lecturer to Associate Professor.
He pointed out that such an innovation would boost lecturers’ morale, increase job performance, and lead to optimum job productivity.
